2016/06/22 Council Agenda Packet

6 of underwater communications for our department dive team. During search and rescue operations this system allows the diver under water to clearly communicate with team members on the surface. The system communication lines are essential to diver safety in that they can pick the diver up and out of the water in the event of an emergency. There is an essential need to provide our recently identified Hazardous Materials/Bomb Technician with crucial specialized training and certification with required travel. This vital training is rarely available and costly. The next training available is in the first quarter of 2017. With the assistance of JAG grant funding,we can ensure our technician receives the required instruction necessary for the safety of the officer,the team and the community. The Everett Police Department has identified these project areas as priorities for funding under the Justice Assistance grant. Project Component Descriptions The current Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) project proposal includes equipment/technology systems meeting the needs outlined above. As was noted above, city budget resources are currently unavailable to provide support for a variety of types of equipment, software, associated licensing costs and specialized training that is needed for the Police Department. The first project proposal is for the purchase of a real-time video recorder system consisting of a mobile digital video recorder with four portable cameras. The recorder is coupled to a "live link" controller and battery power inside a small hard case allowing for remote setup and operation. The system can be deployed and left for long periods of time (days) and allows the video to be viewed in real time anywhere using the Internet. It also enables complete control of the cameras and recorder using any laptop computer. This system is required equipment for most covert and overt missions performed by our Special Investigations Unit (SIU). Several recent requests for support by our SIU team to deploy this type of technology went unmet because we currently do not have this equipment. This real-time video recorder system can also be used in conjunction with our undercover vehicle for added versatility, replacing our existing antiquated analog video system. It decreases the need to use human resources to accomplish the same mission saving thousands of dollars and increasing safety by not using undercover detectives. This system can be installed to monitor specific areas or threats without the need to recover video from public or private sources. Doing so can compromise the integrity of an investigation due to the disclosure required to obtain the video. The SIU team supports all divisions of the department and this project has the ability to provide assistance and safety to public areas that may be under threat. The second proposal is to acquire two digital video cameras for the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The SIU team uses small, portable video cameras with zoom capability to document the activity of subjects,vehicles, or locations as part of a criminal investigation. Portable video cameras are used where stationary surveillance is not practical or the object being recorded is mobile. These simple,digital format video cameras allow detectives to capture quick, real-time video prior to any operation. SIU investigations regularly require video evidence and these cameras enhance that ability. The SIU team su.§orts all divisions of the department.